Enrollment with Steer Clear Driver’s Ed constitutes a commitment to the course selected at the time of registration. Students and parents/guardians are responsible for reviewing the course information, available class dates, tuition, policies, and enrollment requirements before submitting an enrollment form.

Tuition & Enrollment

Tuition must be paid in accordance with the payment requirements established for the selected course. A student's enrollment is not considered complete until all required enrollment information and payment have been received.

Tuition applies to the student and course for which the student is enrolled and may not be transferred to another individual.

Tuition Deposit

A $100.00 tuition deposit is required to reserve a place in a specific course. The tuition deposit is applied toward the student's total tuition and is not an additional fee.

Submitting an enrollment form does not reserve a place in a course and does not constitute confirmed enrollment. Enrollment is not confirmed until Steer Clear Driver's Ed receives the required tuition deposit and sends an email confirming the student's enrollment.

When completing the enrollment form, students and parents may indicate their preferred course. Course placement is subject to availability and confirmation by Steer Clear Driver's Ed.

For courses that are pending approval, not yet scheduled, or otherwise not currently available for enrollment, submitting an enrollment form does not guarantee that the requested course will be offered or that a place will be available.

Once a student's enrollment has been confirmed, the $100.00 tuition deposit reserves their place in the specific course for which they have been enrolled. The deposit is applied toward the student's total tuition.

The tuition deposit is non-refundable if the student cancels, withdraws, changes their enrollment, or elects not to attend, regardless of the reason.

If Steer Clear Driver's Ed cancels a course or is unable to provide the course as scheduled, the tuition deposit will be refunded or transferred to another available course at the student's request.

Remaining Tuition Balance

The remaining tuition balance is due at least 14 days before the first day of class.

If the remaining balance has not been received by the payment deadline, Steer Clear Driver's Ed reserves the right to release the student's place in the course. The tuition deposit will be forfeited and will not be refunded.

Students are responsible for meeting all payment deadlines. A submitted enrollment form does not hold a place in a course while awaiting payment.

Transferring to a Different Course

Students who need to change their New Driver Course start date after paying tuition may request to transfer their tuition to another available New Driver Course.

Steer Clear will make reasonable efforts to accommodate transfer requests; however, enrollment is subject to available space. If the requested course is full, the student may be placed on a waitlist or may select another course with available space.

Transfer and cancellation requests made less than seven (7) days before the scheduled course start date are subject to the terms outlined in the school's Refund, Transfer & Cancellation Policy and may result in a partial refund rather than a tuition transfer.

Refunds & Course Cancellation

Refunds and transfers are governed by Steer Clear Driver’s Ed's current Refund, Transfer & Cancellation Policy. Students and parents/guardians are responsible for reviewing that policy before enrolling.

Course Completion

Students are responsible for completing all required components of their course within the applicable completion period.

For the New Driver Course, all required behind-the-wheel instruction must be completed within one (1) year of beginning the course. Students who do not complete the required instruction within that period must re-enroll in a new course and pay the current tuition.

Completion of classroom instruction does not guarantee successful completion of behind-the-wheel instruction or qualification for a driver's license.

Dismissal

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed reserves the right to dismiss a student from the program when permitted under applicable school policies, including for safety concerns, violation of the Student Conduct Policy, violation of the Alcohol & Drug Policy, or other conduct that prevents the school from safely or effectively providing instruction.

Refund eligibility following dismissal is determined by the applicable refund and dismissal policies.

Responsibility for Enrollment Information

Students and parents/guardians are responsible for providing accurate, complete, and current information during enrollment and for reviewing communications sent by Steer Clear Driver’s Ed.

Steer Clear is not responsible for consequences resulting from inaccurate contact information, failure to monitor email or other designated communications, or failure to review information provided during enrollment.

By enrolling, the student and, when applicable, the parent/guardian acknowledge responsibility for understanding and complying with the school's published enrollment, tuition, transfer, refund, attendance, and course-completion policies.

This course includes 30 required hours of in-person classroom instruction and that attendance must be documented for the specific course dates and location in which my student is enrolled. 

Students may not transfer, combine, or make up classroom hours by attending another course, a different location, or a different class date, and that online or remote make-ups are not an option. 

Missing classroom hours will require a student to reenroll in a future course and complete that course in its entirety. Additionally, they will not be eligible to move onto the behind-the-wheel portion of the course regardless of the reason for absence and no refund will be given.

Students who miss or fail a drive will be assessed a $50 fee and they will need to schedule a make-up drive to gain the required time behind the wheel.

All six hours of drive time must be completed to be eligible for their final road test.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed reserves the right to refuse service to any individual whose behavior is unsafe, disruptive, threatening, or otherwise violates any of our policies in order to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and students.

Steer Clear reserves the right to ask any party to leave our site locations or exit our vehicles at any time for any reason we deem necessary.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed understands that circumstances can change. Because class sizes are limited and enrollment commitments affect scheduling and staffing, refund and transfer requests are subject to the following policies.

New Driver Course Transfers

Students who need to change their New Driver Course start date after paying tuition may request to transfer their tuition to another available New Driver Course.

Steer Clear will make reasonable efforts to accommodate transfer requests; however, enrollment is subject to available space. If the requested course is at capacity, the student may be placed on a waitlist or may select another course with available space.

Requests Made More Than 7 Days Before Class

Requests to transfer to a different New Driver Course made more than seven (7) days before the scheduled course start date may be accommodated without loss of tuition, provided space is available in the requested course.

Requests Made Less Than 7 Days Before Class

Transfer requests made less than seven (7) days before the scheduled course start date are not guaranteed.

A partial refund may be issued at Steer Clear's discretion. If the student subsequently enrolls in another New Driver Course, the full tuition for the new course will be due and the student will be required to complete a new enrollment.

Student-Initiated Cancellation or Withdrawal

A student's decision to withdraw from a course or a change in personal, academic, employment, transportation, family, or other circumstances does not entitle the student to a refund.

Refund eligibility is determined according to the timing of the request and the circumstances described in this policy.

Course Cancellation by Steer Clear

Should it be necessary for Steer Clear Driver’s Ed to cancel a course, including cancellation due to insufficient enrollment, students who have already paid will receive a full refund or may be offered the opportunity to transfer their tuition to another available course.

Advance notice will be provided by email when reasonably possible. Steer Clear is not responsible for missed communications resulting from failure to monitor the email address provided during enrollment.

Dismissal

No refund will be provided when a student is dismissed from the program for:

• Violation of the Alcohol & Drug Policy.

• Abusive, aggressive, threatening, or otherwise prohibited conduct.

• A safety-related dismissal.

• An attendance related dismissal.

• Other conduct resulting in dismissal under the school's Student Conduct or Safety policies.

Failure to Complete the Course

New Driver Course students are required to complete all six behind-the-wheel lessons within one (1) year of beginning the course.

Students who do not complete the required behind-the-wheel instruction within one year must re-enroll in a new New Driver Course and pay the current tuition. Previous tuition will not be applied toward the new enrollment.

Driver Improvement Program (DIP)

DIP enrollment and cancellation are handled separately from the New Driver Course because DIP classes have different scheduling and completion requirements.

Students enrolled in a DIP class should review the applicable DIP-specific information provided during enrollment before registering.

No Guarantee of Refund or Transfer

Except where otherwise required by applicable law or specifically stated in this policy, Steer Clear Driver’s Ed does not guarantee a refund, transfer, or placement in a future course.

By enrolling, students and parents/guardians acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to the applicable refund, transfer, and cancellation requirements.

Students are evaluated individually based on their demonstrated ability to engage and contribute in classroom instruction and safely participate in behind-the-wheel training. Decisions regarding continued participation are based on observed driving performance, judgment, responsiveness to instruction, and overall safety.

Every student is evaluated individually using the same safety standards. If, at any point during instruction, an instructor determines that continuing behind-the-wheel training presents a significant safety risk to the student, instructor, other road users, or the public, Steer Clear reserves the right to immediately discontinue driving instruction and dismiss the student from the course.

Safety concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• Repeated inability to safely control the vehicle.

• Consistent inability to recognize or respond to roadway hazards.

• Inability to comprehend instructor directions or communicate with an instructor

• Demonstrated judgment that creates an unreasonable risk of collision or injury.

• Repeated unsafe behaviors despite instruction and corrective feedback.

• Any other behavior that, in the professional judgment of the instructor, creates an unacceptable safety risk.

Students Requiring Additional Support

• Students are evaluated individually.

• Steer Clear welcomes students with different learning styles and needs.

• Reasonable instructional adaptations may be provided when practical and safe.

• Steer Clear is not a specialized driver rehabilitation program.

• Continued behind-the-wheel instruction depends upon demonstrated safe performance.

• Safety decisions are based on observed performance.

Please read our entire Statement on Student Safety here.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed, LLC takes safety very seriously, therefore we have adopted a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding alcohol and drug use in the class and behind the wheel.

Students may not attend classroom instruction or participate in behind-the-wheel training while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or any substance that may impair their ability to safely participate in instruction or operate a motor vehicle. Any student suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be immediately dismissed from the course, local law enforcement may be notified, and a parent or guardian will be contacted for immediate pickup.

Any student dismissed from the course for any behavioral reason, including alcohol or drugs, will not be issued a refund (full or partial), and will not be eligible for a Certificate of Completion.

An instructor may refuse to allow a student to participate in behind-the-wheel instruction if the instructor reasonably believes the student is impaired or otherwise unable to safely operate the vehicle.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed welcomes all students and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, or any other status protected by applicable law. We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment for every participant.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed maintains a Zero Tolerance Policy for aggression, abuse, intimidation, or other inappropriate conduct - whether in person, by phone, email, text, or any other form of communication.

Any such behavior toward an employee, instructor, student, or vendor may result in immediate dismissal from the current class and/or exclusion from future classes at the owner’s discretion. Tuition or fees paid will be forfeited.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional learning environment for students, instructors, staff, parents, guardians, and other individuals interacting with our school. Because driver education involves classroom instruction, one-on-one behind-the-wheel training, and the operation of motor vehicles, appropriate conduct is essential to maintaining the safety and effectiveness of our program.

Respectful and Appropriate Conduct

Students, parents/guardians, and third parties are expected to communicate and interact with Steer Clear Driver’s Ed instructors, staff, and other students in a respectful and professional manner.

The following conduct is not permitted:

• Threatening, intimidating, abusive, harassing, or aggressive behavior.

• Verbal abuse, profanity directed toward another person, or personal attacks.

• Disruptive behavior that interferes with instruction or the learning environment.

• Refusal to follow reasonable instructions from an instructor or staff member.

• Harassment, bullying, discrimination, or other conduct that creates an unsafe or hostile environment.

• Deliberately damaging school property, vehicles, equipment, or another person's property.

• Any conduct that compromises the safety of a student, instructor, staff member, other road user, or member of the public.

Instructor Authority During Behind-the-Wheel Instruction

During behind-the-wheel instruction, the instructor has authority over the vehicle and may take any action reasonably necessary to maintain safety, including providing immediate corrective instructions, intervening with instructor controls, or terminating a driving lesson.

Students are expected to follow instructor directions promptly. Failure to follow safety-related instructions may result in termination of the driving lesson.

Parent, Guardian, and Third-Party Conduct

Parents, guardians, and other third parties are expected to respect the instructional environment and the authority of Steer Clear instructors and staff.

Parents, guardians, and third parties may not:

• Interfere with classroom or behind-the-wheel instruction.

• Attempt to direct or override an instructor's safety-related decisions.

• Harass, threaten, intimidate, or verbally abuse an instructor, staff member, student, or other individual.

• Disrupt instruction or interfere with the operation of a Steer Clear vehicle.

• Contact instructors outside established business channels for the purpose of addressing disputes, complaints, or school matters.

• Students, parents/guardians, and third parties may not solicit, request, arrange, or encourage a Steer Clear Driver’s Ed instructor to provide private or outside behind-the-wheel driver trainings.

• Engage in conduct that compromises the safety or professional operation of the school.

Steer Clear reserves the right to require that communication regarding a student be conducted through the parent/guardian or designated school contact when appropriate.

Consequences of Violating the Student Conduct Policy

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed reserves the right to take appropriate action when this policy is violated. Depending on the nature and severity of the conduct, consequences may include a verbal or written warning, removal from a class or driving lesson, restriction of communication or access to school personnel, dismissal from the course, or termination of services.

Serious or threatening conduct may result in immediate dismissal or termination without prior warning.

No refund will be provided when a student is dismissed from the program for abusive, aggressive, threatening, or other conduct that violates this policy, consistent with the school's applicable refund and dismissal policies.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed reserves the right to contact law enforcement when conduct presents a threat to the safety of students, staff, instructors, or the public or otherwise warrants such action.

Commitment to a Safe Learning Environment

Our goal is to provide students with a professional environment in which they can learn, ask questions, make mistakes, and develop safe driving skills without fear of intimidation or disruption. We expect everyone who participates in or interacts with our school to contribute to that environment.

Steer Clear Driver’s Ed may address conduct that occurs in person, by telephone, text message, email, or other forms of communication when that conduct is directed toward or materially affects the school, its students, instructors, staff, or operations.

• Commercial Driver Training Enterprise: Rules and Regulations Ch. 1340-01-06

• Cooperative Driver Testing Program: Rules and Regulations: Ch. 1340-01-13

• NHTSA Teen Driving

• Parent-teen Driving Agreement

• Governor’s Highway Safety Association

• AAA Teen Driver Safety

• The Effect of Passengers on Teen Drivers

• TN Traffic Crash Stats (by age & county 2010-2025)

• Car Seat & Booster Seat Installation & Use

• North Carolina DMV - Driver Education

• Virginia DMV - Driver Education

For the safety of students, instructors, and other road users, as well as for insurance, training, and incident documentation purposes, Steer Clear Driver’s Ed records video footage during the behind-the-wheel portion of instruction. This may include interior and exterior dashcam footage of the vehicle and its occupants.

Recording During Behind-the-Wheel Instruction

Recording is a standard part of behind-the-wheel instruction and may occur during any driving lesson. Students and instructors should conduct themselves with the understanding that their actions and interactions inside the vehicle may be recorded.

Footage may be used for purposes including:

• Documenting incidents, accidents, safety concerns, or other events occurring during instruction.

• Reviewing driving performance or instructional concerns.

• Supporting insurance claims or investigations.

• Responding to complaints or disputes.

• Training, quality assurance, or internal review when appropriate.

• Complying with legal, regulatory, or law-enforcement requests.

Storage and Retention

Recorded footage will ordinarily be retained for no more than one (1) year from the date of recording.

Footage may be retained beyond one year when required by law or when reasonably necessary in connection with an accident, insurance claim, investigation, complaint, legal matter, or ongoing litigation.

When footage is no longer required to be retained, Steer Clear may permanently delete or otherwise dispose of it.

Access to Incident Footage

If an incident occurs involving a student during behind-the-wheel instruction, the student or the student's parent/guardian, when applicable, may request a copy of the footage relating to that incident. Steer Clear will provide the applicable footage within 30 days of the incident, subject to any legal restrictions or circumstances that may prevent or limit release.

Steer Clear may withhold or appropriately redact footage when necessary to protect the privacy of other individuals, comply with applicable law, or protect an ongoing investigation or legal matter.

No Personal Recording During Instruction

Students, parents/guardians, and third parties may not independently record, photograph, livestream, or otherwise capture video or audio of an instructor, student, or driving lesson without prior authorization from Steer Clear Driver’s Ed.

Consent and Enrollment

Because recording is an integral part of Steer Clear's behind-the-wheel safety and documentation procedures, students who participate in behind-the-wheel instruction must agree to being recorded.

If a student or parent/guardian has questions or concerns about the recording policy, those questions should be addressed before enrollment or before participating in behind-the-wheel instruction by contacting Steer Clear Driver’s Ed at (423) 922-8727.

By enrolling in a course that includes behind-the-wheel instruction, the student and, when applicable, the parent/guardian acknowledge that video recording may occur as described in this policy and agree to comply with the policy.